Safeguarding officer
My name is Angela Witty
Angela is the Safeguarding officer for St Mary's with Holy Apostles. To get in touch with her about a safeguarding matter please contact...
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07793151497
or email​ angela_witty@btinternet.com
Safeguarding
If you need to get in touch with us about safeguarding please contact either
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Mrs Angela Witty
(Parish Safeguarding Officer)
07793 151497
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Rob Marshall
(Diocesan Safeguarding adviser)
01904 699524
Safer recruitment policy
St Mary's with Holy Apostles
St. Mary’s with Holy Apostles PCC Policy Statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders
Policy Review Date: 26th May 2022
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As an organisation assessing applicants’ suitability for positions which are included in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order using criminal record checks processed through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), St. Mary’s with Holy Apostles PCC complies fully with the Code of Practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly. St. Mary’s with Holy Apostles PCC undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a criminal record check on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed.
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St. Mary’s with Holy Apostles PCC can only ask an individual to provide details of convictions and cautions that St. Mary’s with Holy Apostles PCC are legally entitled to know about. Where a DBS certificate at either standard or enhanced level can legally be requested (where the position is one that is included in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 as amended) and where appropriate Police Act Regulations (as amended), St. Mary’s with Holy Apostles PCC can only ask an individual about convictions and cautions that are not protected.
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St. Mary’s with Holy Apostles PCC is committed to the fair treatment of its staff, potential staff or users of its services, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, responsibilities for dependants, age, physical/mental disability or offending background. St. Mary’s with Holy Apostles PCC has a written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders, which is made available to all DBS applicants at the outset of the recruitment process.
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St. Mary’s with Holy Apostles PCC actively promotes equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential and welcome applications from a wide range of candidates, including those with criminal records. St. Mary’s with Holy Apostles PCC select all candidates for interview based on their skills, qualifications and experience. An application for a criminal record check is only submitted to DBS after a thorough risk assessment has indicated that one is both proportionate and relevant to the position concerned. For those positions where a criminal record check is identified as necessary, all application forms, job adverts and recruitment briefs will contain a statement that an application for a DBS certificate will be submitted in the event of the individual being offered the position.
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St. Mary’s with Holy Apostles PCC ensures that all those in St. Mary’s with Holy Apostles PCC who are involved in the recruitment process have been suitably trained to identify and assess the relevance and circumstances of offences. St. Mary’s with Holy Apostles PCC also ensures that they have received appropriate guidance and training in the relevant legislation relating to the employment of ex-offenders, e.g. the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. At interview, or in a separate discussion, St. Mary’s with Holy Apostles PCC ensures that an open and measured discussion takes place on the subject of any offences or other matter that might be relevant to the position. Failure to reveal information that is directly relevant to the position sought could lead to withdrawal of an offer of employment.
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St. Mary’s with Holy Apostles PCC makes every subject of a criminal record check submitted to DBS aware of the existence of the Code of Practice and makes a copy available on request. St. Mary’s with Holy Apostles PCC undertakes to discuss any matter revealed on a DBS certificate with the individual seeking the position before withdrawing a conditional offer of employment.
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Signed on behalf of the PCC by:
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Incumbent: Revd Richard Walker
Churchwarden: Mr Ken Ascott
Churchwarden: Mrs Angela Witty
Parish Safeguarding Officer: Mrs Angela Witty
Date: 18 May 2023
Parish Safeguarding policy
St Mary's with Holy Apostles
The Parish of St. Mary’s with Holy Apostles’, Scarborough
SAFEGUARDING POLICY PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH first agreed 01.08.18 .
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The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 26 May 2022
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In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to:
• Promoting a safer environment and culture.
• Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church.
• Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.
• Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.
• Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.
• Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.
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The Parish will:
• Create a safe and caring place for all.
• Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.
• Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.
• Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish.
• Display in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.
• Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.
• Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately.
• Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.
• Care for and monitor any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.
• Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.
• Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.
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Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.
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This church appoints Mrs Anne Brand as the Parish Safeguarding Officer
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Incumbent: Revd Richard J Walker
Churchwardens
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Mr Ken Ascott
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Mrs Angela Witty
Parish Safeguarding Officer: Mrs Angela Witty
Date: 18th May 23